UPDATE:TEXAS CITY, TX (March 16, 2017, 10:50 AM): The Texas City Police Department has made two arrests in the Brandy Vela case with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals. On November 29, 2016, Brandy Vela tragically committed suicide after enduring several months of relentless cyberbullying, stalking, and harassment. Detectives on this case worked tirelessly to identify two suspects that were behind the harassment. The suspects arrested in this case have been identified as 21-year-old Andres Arturo Villagomez of Galveston and 22-year-old Karinthya Sanchez Romero of Galveston. Villagomez was known to Brandy Vela through a previous dating relationship. Romero is the girlfriend of Villagomez.

Villagomez Romero

The Grand Jury of Galveston county heard this case in the morning of March 16, 2017 and recommended the following charges and bonds. Villagomez has been charged with Unlawful Disclosure or Promotion of Intimate Visual Material and is being held on a $2,500.00 bond. Romero has been charged with Stalking with a bond of $10,000.00 and Online Impersonation with a bond of $10,000.00.The Unlawful Disclosure or Promotion of Intimate Visual Material can be found in Texas Penal Code §21.16 and is a Class A misdemeanor. An individual adjudged guilty of a Class A misdemeanor shall be punished by: (1) a fine not to exceed $4,000; (2) confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year; or (3) both such fine and confinement.The Stalking can be found in Texas Penal Code §42.072 and is a 3rd Degree Felony. The Online Impersonation can be found in Texas Penal Code §33.07 and is also a 3rd Degree Felony. An individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the third degree shall be punished by imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for any term of not more than 10 years or less than 2 years. In addition to imprisonment, an individual adjudged guilty of a felony of the third degree may be punished by a fine not to exceed $10,000.For information or questions regarding the charges, please contact to the Galveston County District Attorney's office at (409) 766-2355.______________________________________________________________________________UPDATE:TEXAS CITY, TX (December 12, 2016): The Texas City Police Department is conducting a criminal investigation regarding the death of Brandy Vela. Once we develop more facts we will1004 9th Avenue North, Texas City, TX 77590-7407www.texas-city-tx.org (409) 948-2525have a better understanding of any potential criminal charges. Right now, being that the investigation is ongoing, we will be moving in the direction the information gathered leads us. Ifwe are able to develop facts that fit a criminal statute, we will certainly present those facts to the Galveston County District Attorney’s Office for their review. To protect the integrity of the ongoing criminal investigation, we will not be able to release any further information at this time.Capt. Joe Stanton______________________________________________________________________________ORIGINAL:TEXAS CITY, TX (November 29, 2016, 2:00 PM): On November 29, 2016 at approximately 1:41 pm, Texas City Police received a report of a gunshot victim located in a residence in the 6100 blk. of Allen Av., Texas City. Upon arrival officers found an 18 year old female with an apparent gunshot wound to the upper chest. The investigation indicates the gunshot wound was self-inflicted.The 18 year old female victim was transported to Clear Lake Regional Medical Center by ground ambulance. The victim was pronounced deceased upon arrival. The 18 year old female victim has been identified to be, Brandy Vela.During the investigation Texas City Police Detectives were informed that the deceased was a possible victim of Cyberbullying. Texas City Police Detectives are currently investigating the allegations of the Cyberbullying.This media release will be updated as more information becomes available.Anyone with information regarding the alleged Cyberbullying of Brandy Vela is encouraged to contact Det. Earl Mendenhall at (409) 643-5833. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call Mainland Communities Crime Stoppers at (409) 945-8477.Capt. Joe Stanton-end-For more information pleace contact:Sgt. Kenneth BrownPublic Information OfficerTexas City Police Department(409) 643-5765kbrown@texas-city-tx.org

Comments:
The Galveston Daily reported Vela committed suicide a day after Villagomez threatened to post nude photos of her on the internet. So very tragic and it is a reminder to instill in your children basic safety precautions. Best one is to never say, write, or do anything that you would not want to see printed on the front page of the local newspaper.

Posted by audreyflowers at 3/17/2017 11:33:10 AM

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